Artist - Fighting Warriors
Album - Dextera Dei – The Tale of Iarus
Reviewer - Rev. Shakes Spear
Spooky, Italian, 80’s heavy-metal opera mixed with a little Rammstein-ish vocals. Weird.
Anyone remember Loudness – that Japanese heavy-metal band mid/late 80’s, or even Scorpions, for that matter – remember how the delivery of English lyrics was just slightly off? Over-enunciated and awkward sounding. Fighting Warriors have a little bit of that – let’s call it the ‘Klause Meine Syndrome’. Anyway, as annoying as it can be, it’s also fascinating and fun.
I mean, who doesn’t love a little smash-up of some classic Savatage and some Suzi Quatro (you know, Leather Tuscadero from Happy Days) vocal stylings? Or try some Fiona Apple piano work with some horrible, gargling-drain declarations of eternal torment like, “You destroyed my life and now I must kill you! I hate you, Demon, I send you to the Hell where you came from!” delivered by the ultra-cool narrator, Valentino “The Wolf”. Good stuff, man.
From noodling keyboards and diving guitar solos to anthemic chanting and epic choral hymns, these gutsy Italians cover it all.
The singing of Cinzia Di Martino is at times pretty and powerful, forced and exaggerated. Nothing about the musicianship or talent is in question, but the crazy compilation of influences makes for a ‘hard-to-put-your-finger-on’ categorization and at times is distracting with it’s unintended humor.
Well worth a listen – if you’re looking for some moody, retro, metal kitsch.
Bonus! As a reward for sitting thru the 4 song, 25 minute EP, you’ll even get to experience some vintage, ‘hidden’ backmasking - sweet! Italians rock…
